Gulf Construction Online - Finland’s Snow Cape 90pc complete

Expo Countdown

Snow Cape, a sustainable snow-inspired structure in the Mobility District.

Finland’s Snow Cape 90pc complete

01 November 2020

Finland has announced that work is in full swing on its country pavilion, Snow Cape, being developed for the next year’s Expo 2020 Dubai event with nearly 90 per cent of the construction already completed.

Snow Cape is located within Expo 2020 Dubai’s Mobility District and the construction activities are being managed and executed by the Swiss pavilion construction specialist, Expomobilia.

According to Finnish authorities, the structural works on its pavilion have been fully completed. The remaining construction activity, including the interior fit-out works, is scheduled to resume in April 2021, they added.

On the project progress, Commissioner General of Finland Severi Keinala said: “Our decision to postpone the final construction elements of our pavilion was made to ensure the final aesthetic elements are as fresh as possible for the October 2021 opening.”

“In particular, the exterior membrane of the pavilion will be added closer to the opening date, as this white surface is what will bring our Snow Cape to life. Once construction resumes next year, our touchless Kone elevators and sliding doors will be installed and preparations will begin on the exhibition space and interior design,” stated Keinala.

Several Finnish partner companies have been actively involved in the construction of the Finnish pavilion. For example, Halton Group will provide an air ventilation system based on low-velocity air diffusers inside the main exhibition and ‘gorge’ areas, ensuring cool and fresh air in the human-level zone up to 3 m high.

Granlund has assisted during the pavilion planning and construction phase as a consultant and has produced a digital twin of the pavilion, which will be used to monitor the functions of the pavilion throughout the exhibition.

Serviz is providing remote indoor air monitoring both before and during Expo 2020 Dubai for not only the Finnish pavilion but for other national pavilions as well.

Expomobilia Chief Customer Officer Dietmar Kautschitz said: “Preparing the structure for a period of hibernation and changing weather conditions has meant pausing the execution of the intricate details of the pavilion’s design and finish.”

“When we return to the site in April 2021, we will finalise the exterior of the pavilion, including the aluminium outer wall of the entrance, the exterior membrane, the granite-decorated lakes located at the pavilion’s entrance and the signage,” noted Kautschitz. “The substrate of the ‘gorge’, the centrepiece of the pavilion, has been completed with the exception of the final wood coating, which will be installed closer to the opening date.”